Development of bio-rational management approach against mango hopper, Idioscopus nagpurensis (Pruthi) in Bangladesh

A field experiment was conducted during the 2016-17 mango cropping season in farmers’ fields of Gazipur, Rajshahi and Chapainawabgonj districts of Bangladesh to find an effective bio-rational management option for controlling the mango hopper, Idioscopus nagpurensis (Pruthi) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). Randomized Complete Block Design was used incorporating 8 treatments with 3 replications. The treatments were pruning of overcrowded and overlapping branches, spraying of azadirachtin, Beauveria bassiana (Lycomax, Russel IPM), imidacloprid insecticide, installation of yellow sticky grey and blue sticky trap and untreated control. Lowest leafhopper population was recorded in B. bassiana (3.0 hoppers/sweep/tree) followed by imidacloprid (3.7 leafhoppers/sweep/tree) treatments. Highest number of fruit retention was recorded in imidacloprid (40.00 fruits/20 inflorescence/tree) followed B. bassiana (32.67 fruits/20 inflorescence/tree) and azadirachtin (24.00 fruits/20 inflorescence/tree). Imidacloprid treatment offered maximum marginal benefit cost ratio (5.60). Increasing trend of hopper population was recorded in control. Considering health and environment issues, spraying of B. bassiana @ 5.0g/L of water at flower initiation stage, flowering stage and pea stage may be recommended for controlling mango hopper.